DATE=11/4/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKA ARTILLERY (L-O)
NUMBER=2-255807
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Fierce fighting in northern Sri Lanka has
killed more than 220-Tamil rebels and government
soldiers. Vandana Chopra has the details from
Colombo.
TEXT: Sri Lanka's Defense Ministry says the military
is moving reinforcements and re-grouping to prevent
further rebel infiltration in northern areas.
Tamil separatists attacked two important strategic
towns; Oddusuddan and Nedunkerni, under an operation
code-named "Unceasing Wave Three" and took control of
the areas, Wednesday.
The Defense Ministry statement says that after heavy
confrontation, security forces have fallen back
tactically to areas south of Oddusuddan and
Nedunkerni.
A statement issued by the rebel headquarters in London
says the army suffered more than one-thousand dead and
injured in the battles at Nedunkerni and Oddusuddan.
Security officials say the military is finding it
difficult to determine the exact number of casualties,
due to lack of communication with some army and navy
units.
The Sri Lankan army took control of Oddusuddan town
from the rebels in December. Defense analysts say the
rebels recapturing the town could be the army's worst
setback in the past year.
Army officials say the rebels continue to fire heavy
artillery and mortars at security positions.
Meanwhile, political analysts say a military setback
could hurt President Chandrika Kumaratunga's hopes for
a re-election.
Tiger separatists have been fighting for a separate
homeland for the minority Tamil community in Sri
Lanka's North and East since 1983. (SIGNED)
NEB/VC/RAE
04-Nov-1999 08:30 AM EDT (04-Nov-1999 1330 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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